Karl Schrag

American (1912-1996)

Born in Karlsruhe, Germany to a German father and American mother, it is no surprise that Karl Schrag would eventually become absorbed in both the European and American art worlds. In 1930, Schrag graduated from the Humanistisches Gymnasium and then immediately proceeded to study art at several renowned European institutions including the Ecole des Beaux Arts and the Atelier of Lucier Simon. In 1938, Schrag immigrated to the United States and began to study at the Arts Students League with Sternberg and at the Atlier 17 with Stanley William Hayter. It was at the Atlier 17 that Schrag was to leave an indelible mark, becoming the director in 1950. 

Although Schrag is most well known as an engraver and painter – working mostly in oils and gouache and focusing on landscapes and the tropics – he was a respected teacher as well. From 1953 to1954 Schrag taught graphic arts at Brooklyn College. Following this job, Schrag taught at Cooper Union from 1954 to 1968. Although he resided predominantly in New York, Schrag’s interest in and devotion to the beauty of landscape painting drew him to Maine where he painted consistently throughout his career. Today, the work of Karl Schrag is held at many respected museums including the Fine Arts Museum of San Francisco, the National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C., the Smithsonian Art Museum, and lastly the Farnsworth Art Museum in Rockland, Maine.